The walls inside of Boardwalk Hall were bustling with excitement this past weekend as more than 40,000 wrestlers, families, and fans filled the arena for the 2015 New Jersey State High School Wrestling Championships. A yearly highlight for the Atlantic City community and celebration of the sport among high school wrestlers throughout the state, the annual three-day championship tournament was held from Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 8. The event contributed significantly to the Atlantic City economy as it generated an economic impact of more than $3.6 million with nearly 1,000 contracted hotel rooms.

A post-event survey sent out to ticketholders illustrated these strong economic contributions as well as a high level of customer satisfaction among patrons. Results indicated:

         86 percent of ticketholders dined in Atlantic City restaurants during the event weekend
         75 percent of ticketholders indicated that they had a good or great time at the New Jersey State High School Wrestling Championships
         71 percent of ticketholders stayed at Atlantic City hotels during the event weekend
         71 percent of ticketholders spent over $200 at local Atlantic City businesses during the event weekend

A momentous event year after year, the 2015 New Jersey State High School Wrestling Championships proved no different in terms in terms of success. This year’s competition hosted the top wrestlers in the 14 different weight classes of 106 lbs, 113 lbs, 120 lbs, 126 lbs, 132 lbs, 138 lbs, 145 lbs, 152 lbs, 160 lbs, 170 lbs, 182 lbs, 195 lbs, 220 lbs, and 285 lbs. from various high schools all across the state of New Jersey. The event was presented by The Star Ledger and Rothman Institute.

“The New Jersey State High School Wrestling Championships is our biggest event year after year, consistently drawing more than 40,000 athletes, coaches, family and fans,” said Fran Rodowicz, General Manager, Global Spectrum at Boardwalk Hall. “The success of the event is a testament to our strong partnership with the NJSIAA and the many families and fans that come support these wrestlers, who sacrifice so much to make it to the top. We look forward to proudly hosting this event for many years to come.”

The newly crowned 2015 New Jersey State High School Wrestling Champions include Gerard Angelo of Hanover Park (106 lbs), Brandon Cray of Hamilton East ( 113 lbs), Nick Suriaro of Bergen Catholic (120 lbs), Patrick D’Arcy of  Holy Spirit (126 lbs), Shane Griffith of Bergen Catholic (132 lbs), Kyle Bierdumpfel of Don Bosco (138 lbs), Alec Donovan of Brick Memorial (145 lbs), Joe Tavoso of Delbarton (152 lbs), David McFadden of DePaul (160 lbs), Joe Grello of Bergen Catholic (170 lbs), Kevin Mulligan of Bergen Catholic (182 lbs), Tyree Sutton of Keansburg (195 lbs), Christian Colucci of St. Peter’s Prep- Jersey City (220 lbs), and Zack Chakonis of Don Bosco (285 lbs). 

Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages more than 125 other public assembly facilities around the world. Nearly 24-million people attended more than 15,000 events in Global Spectrum venues last year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies. Comcast-Spectacor, which operates in 48 of the 50 United States, also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions, Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company, and Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks. 

About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) www.njcrda.com and www.twitter.com/njcrda

The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents, investing nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, CRDA’s mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA responsibilities expanded to include land use regulation, clean and safe initiatives, tourism marketing, ownership and oversight of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall, and partnership with the Atlantic City Alliance to brand and market Atlantic City. The former ACCVA, now a division of CRDA, is the first destination marketing organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International.

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